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THE KING ' S BUSINESS
soul winning so largely to preachers, some or whom do not )fnow how to do that, but only to deliver sermons. Stephen's bold and powerful procla– mation of the Gospel of grace and free– dom In Christ awakened opposition In the synagogues. Stephen became the center of debate as the champions ot Judaism challenged his presentation of Christianity. Stephen was flushed with victory for "they were not able to re– sist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake" ( 6: 10). The failure of the rabbis to answer this first apologist for Christianity reminded them of Jesus in the temple whose destruction He foretold on Olivet. Stephen dared to proclaim the perfect equality of Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of God, and he showed the spiritual nature ot wor– ship as Jesus had done to the woman at the well (Jn. 4). Stephen struck out on a new line and showed how Judaism was preparatory tor Christianity and was temporary and would pass away. The twelve arostles had not as yet seized upon this phase of Christ's teach– ing. The Pharisees once more sprang to the rescue ot the ark of Judaism. Beaten In debate by Stephen, his op– ponents "suborned men" who were willing to perjure themselves in the interest of J ewish orthodoxy. "We heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." They twisted his interpretation of Christianity In terms of mankind to be a direct at– tack on Moses, who is here mentioned before God. "They stirred up the peo– ple and the elders and the scribes" by the charge that Stephen was seeking to undermine Judaism. Stephen found himself under arrest for heresy and ar– raigned before the Sanhedrin. It was Stephen's supreme hour. He felt It and was looking unto Jesus for help. A strange thing happened. The people gazed in awe at the face of Stephen, which was transfigured with glory like that of Moses when he came down from the mount where he had been talking with Jehovah. The young man Saul noticed it, and long years afterward understood what It meant ( 2 Cor. 3: 18). Stephen saw Jesus and the glory of God (7:55). Stephen probably thought rapidly as he recalled the fate of Jesus before this very body on precisely similar charges. He doubtless knew before he spoke what his fate would be. His ad– dress was a great and notable defense .:>f Christ. He knew his Old Testament
like a n Alexandrian theologian, and criticized materialistic religion like a Greek, but his Idea ot redemption and mediation was distinctly Christian. But the breath of the hills did not suit Pharisaism. Stephen had not won his Judges though he had won his case and his cause before God and man. Stephen saw the human wolves leap up at him as he looked up to heaven. He saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand ot God in majesty as if to welcome His faithful witness ( 7: 56). Jesus saw the heavens open as he came up out ot the baptismal waters. Now the Son of man stands by God's throne to greet the victor In his death. Stephen died with forgive– ness of his enemies in his heart (7:60), this first martyr for Christ as he sealed with his blood the testimony of his life. Was his witness in vain? It seemed so at the time. But God's plans work slowly and surely. "And Saul was well pleased at his death" ( 8: 1 ). Like a wolf he had ravished the fold. The cause ot Stephen seemed lost and that of Saul triumphant. Stephen had left his mark· upon Saul. Saul, who caused Stephen's death, came to be the real successor of Stephen. He took up, expounded and carried on the teaching of Stephen about the universal message and mis– sion ot Christianity. Saul will one day meet the fierce hatred of Jew and Juda– iser as he fights for a full Gospel for all men. Stephen is vindicated in Paul. Thus God wrought His will in spite of the wrath of man.-Dr. A. T. Robert– son in "Types of Preachers." How Stephen Showed His Love For .Jesus. Acts. 6: 8-15; 7: 54-60. Memory Verse. "And God was with him." Acts 7: 9. Approach-Children, I was in a home the other day, and I saw a very beauti– ful picture. It was not a picture hang– ing on a wall, or pasted in a book. What kind or a BEGINNERS picture do y ou AND PRIMARY think it was? Now Mabel L. Merrill listen and I will tell you. I knock– ed at the door, and a little boy about five years old came and opened the door
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